Divisible receptacle



Jan. 22, 1957 A. BERKE DIVISIBLE: RECEPTACLE 2 Shee'ts-Sheet l Filed May 26, 1955 Jan. 22, 1957 A. BERKE DIvIsIBLE: RECEPTACLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 26, 1955 JNEJ;

United States Patent DIVISIBLE RECEPTACLE Aaron Berke, New York, N. Y.

Application May 26, 1955, Serial No. 511,355

1 Claim. (Cl. 217-33) This invention is an improved receptacle; especially a receptacle for the storage and shipment of articles of merchandise and the distribution and sale thereof, easy to handle, inexpensive to produce, and comprises sections that can readily be severed into separate units.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a container or receptacle so constructed that it has detachable sections enclosing separate compartments, each of which is adapted to enclose a quantity of the vmerchandise inside of it. The receptacle can be utilized and shipped as a whole, but if a customer desires to buy only so much of the merchandise as is disposed in one or more of the sections, instead of the full receptacle or carton, he can be accommodated. Each section when severed from the others, remains entirely sealed land fully envelops what is within it and becomes a complete smaller package or parcel, which the patron can easily carry away after purchasing.

it is preferable to construct the receptacle of sheet material such as cardboard, cut and bent into the form required.

Another object is to provide a novel member for dividing each section `into pockets, each adapted to receive a single article.

The objects and advantages are clearly set out in the following description and the novel characteristics are delined in the claims. The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the improvement, but variations in minor respects may of cou-rse be adopted without departure from the general plan in which the invention resides.

On the drawings,

Figure l is a plan view of a blank of cardboard having an outline with cuts and score lines therein according to my invention, to be set up as an outer casing for the receptacle.

Figure 2 is a similar View of another blank for setting up the inner compartments and defines the Idetachable sections` Figure 3 shows in plan the nished receptacle ready to be closed and sealed, after filling.

Figure 4 is a perspective view ot a member for dividing the compartments into' pockets.

Figure 5 shows a detail of the structure.

Figures 6 and 7 show respectively anotherblank and in top plan a divisible box produced therefrom.

The receptacle as illustrated in the drawings comprises a blank of cardboard 1, bent to make the outside casing, and another blank 2, for insertion into the casing .and capable et being shaped tol mark oit compartments in the casing and cooperate therewith so as to define the sections that 'can be separated from the receptacle and from one another. A member 3 is placed in each section or compartment to divide it into pockets, each of which is large Patented Jan. 22, 1957 enough tohold a bottle, can, or other single container. See Figures 1, 2 and 4.

The rectangular blank 1 shown in Figure 1 is elongated with parallel longitudinal score lines 4 extending from end to end and transverse score lines dividing it into long sections 5 and 5 and shorter portions 6 and 6', the sections or portions 5 and 6' being at the ends :and the sections 5 and 5 having the other section 6 between them. The two sections 5 and 5 are each bisected by a transverse line of depressions or perforations 12, extending entirely across the blank 1.

The other sheet member 2 has similar score lines 4 and 7 dividing oit portions 9a, twin portions 10a-10a, 11 twin portions 1tlb--10b, and 9b, the portions 9a and 9b being adjacent the ends, the portion 11 in the middle, and two pairs of the twin portions between the portion 11 and the portions 9a and 9b. The portions 5 and 5 of the blank 1 have a transverse central score line 12 extending across the lines 4 to both side edges of the blank; and the portion 11 of the blank 2 has a transverse central score line 13 also extending entirely across the blank`2.

In both side edges of the blank 1 is a pair of cuts 14 extending inward as faras the score lines 4, and in line with the score lines 7 marking oi the portion or area 6, with another cut 14 midway between the two. The opposite edges of each of these cuts are separated from each other. Also near the end of this blank at each side edge are two similar cuts both in line with the score line 7 between the portions 5 `and 6', and two others in line with the middle of the portion 6. In each portion 6 and 6 one of the transverse score lines 7 is in line with the middle cuts 14. The cuts 14 in the edges adjacent the larea 6 mark od twin flaps 6b and 6a on both edges of the blank 1; and the remaining cuts mark ol twin aps 6a and 6b adjacent the portion 6. All these flaps are hinged along the score lines`4.

In the blank 2 are transverse cuts 15 on both side edges; opposite and in line with all the transverse score lines 7 and line 13. These cuts extend in as far as the lines 4, and mark oil twin aps 6a, one each at the ends of the portions 16a between the portions 9a and 11, and twin flaps 6b, one at each end of the portions 10b between the portions 1I and 9b. The cuts 15 also mark oil ll-aps 5a and 5b connected respectively to the aps 9a and 9b, and in the blank 1, the central score lines 12 mark oi flaps at each side edge 5a and 5b adjacent the portion 5 and similar iiaps 5a :and 5b adjacent the section 5 at one end; and flaps 5b and 5a adjacent the section 5; all the llaps 5a and 5b being connected to each other at the score lines 12.

The receptacle is set up by bending up the blank 1 about the score lines 7 between the portions 5, 6, 5 and 6 and attaching the flap 8 to the free terminal edge of the portion 5 or by securing the two ends with an adhesive strip. The portions'6 and 6' then are the ends and the portions 5 and 5', that are somewhat longer than the portions 6 and 6', are the sides with the two flaps 5a-5b on the sides and the flaps 6a and 6b on the ends along both free or upper and lower edges of the rectangular casing 17.

The blank 2 is then bent about the line 13 and cuts 15 in the middle to superpose halves of the por-tion 11 on each side of said line and to superpose also the portions 9a and 9b. Each half of the blank 1 is now bent further about 'the line 7 between each pair of portions 10 and 10b, and the lines between these portions and the portions 9a, 11, and 9b so as to move the portions lila and 10b outward from the portions 9a, 11 and 9b, and into superposecl positions. The twin portions 10a and ltib then lie transverse to thel superposed portions 9a and 9b and the superposed halves of the central portion 11. The overlying halves of the portion 11, and superposed portions 9a and 9b are long enough to t snugly inside the casing 17 and lengthwise thereof, and the superposed parts 10a and lill: are of such a size as to lie snugly across between the `sides 5 and 5 of this casing. The portion 9b and half -of the portion 11 will face the side 5 of the casing, and the portion 9a and other half of the portion 11 will thus face the side 5 ofthe casing 17.

The two flaps `6a and 6c of the casing 17 will then be in line with the aps 6a of the member 1 in the casing and the two flaps 6b of said member 1 are in line with the two flaps 6b of the casing 17. Hence the casing 17 has four inside compartments which can lbe closed at top and bottom by folding the flaps 6a and 6b 'over each compartment, and bending down over these tlaps the longer flaps 5a and 5b along the portions 9a, 11 and 9b, and gluing or otherwise securing the longer aps along the sides to the shorter llaps beneath them. These flaps 5a and 5b are made wide enough to cover bottom and top sutiiciently to close the receptacle.

The receptacle can be cut into four sections or parts along the lines 12 in the portions or sides 5 and 5 of the casing, and along the adjacent score lines 7 in the sections 6 and 6. The cutting will be extended through the hinged junction of the portions 10a and 16h and the junctions of the folded halves of the portion 11 of the inside folded blank 1. If for example this operation is performed to sever the upper right hand quarter of the receptacle, the severed section will comprise the upper v ing section 10b. All the members o half of the side or portion 5 and ap 5a thereon, half the portion 6 and flap 6b thereon, of the casing 17; half the portion 11 and one of the portions 10b (attached to the part 11) with ap 6b thereon. The vertical sides of the detached section will all be held rigid by the short flaps 6b and the longer aps 5a over the aps 6b and glued thereto and the section thus is a completely sealed package, on top and bottom.

The various positions of the portions of the casing 17 and inside folder number 1 are fully illustrated in Figure 3 with the aps disposed in open position to be clearly Visible. The flaps 6a and 6b inside the casing appear under the side aps 5o and 5b while `one of the aps 6a at an end of the casing is shown as turned in, with the other three projecting outward. The flaps 5a and 5b are wide enough to cover substantially `the whole top and bottom.

The receptacle so constructed can be used with or without the members 3 to divide the compartments into pockets. The member 3 is a strip of cardboard or other sheet material with transverse score lines at virtually equal distances from another and the ends to mark out a section 1S at the center and sections 18a, 18b, 18C and 18d at each side of the section 18 bent to form square tubes. At the extremities are out jutting sections 18e. One tube is adjacent on face of the section 18 and the other tube is adjacent the opposite face. The sections 18 and 18a are in substantial alinement and the sections 18e project in opposite directions. When placed in the compartments of the receptacle, the portions of the member 3 will delineate six square spaces in each.

The member 3 has tabs 19 cut out of each side of the midsection 1S and glued or 1otherwise secured one to each terminal section 18e at the middle thereof. These tongues `or tabs hold the Sections in position so that the member retains its form in the compartments. But the member 3 can be collapsed about the junctions of the portions 13b and 18e, 18d and the midsection 18, and the inner edges of the terminal portions 13e `so that the latter portions overlie the section 18, one against each face thereof.

The height of the transverse 'sections of the member 3 is a little less than the distance between the score lines 7 on the blank 2. One -of these members 3 is attached to each Section 10a and 10b and each section 9a and 9b and each half of the `section 11 of this blank. The junction is made preferably by gluing each portion 18e and 13b tothe blank 2. For example the portion 18C is glued to the section 9a near the free edge and the portion 18b is attixed to the adjacent section 10b. See Figure 5. The length of the folded member is such that it extends from near the free outer edge `of the section 9a almost `to the junction of the sections 10a. When said sections 9a and 19a are in the same plane, the member 3 is collapsed, but when said sections are moved to a right-angled position, the section 9 pushes the portion 18C at one end of the member 3, and the adjacent section 10b pushes the portion 13b at the other end. The member 3 is thus set up as shown in Figure 3. A member 3 is attached in the same way to the section 9b and each half of the section 11, and extends over one section 10b and the remainare properly distcnded when the sheet 1 is folded so as to divide the receptacle into compartments and pushed into the casing .1.

The blank 1 and blank 2, the latter with the members 3 attached can be shipped fiat and distended or folded into -two or more layers into a smaller space.

The notches 2i? in the flaps 6a are for convenience in closing the receptacle by mechanical means. They are so located that a moving part of a machine can swing and push down both aps 6a and 6b at the lower end of the receptacle as shown on Figure 3 and simultaneously vthe upper pair `of flaps 6a and 6b at the middle of Figure 3, passing through the notches in the lower pair of aps in the middle of Figure 3. Another moving part of such a machine will push down both flaps 6a and 6b a-t the top and the lowermost flaps 6a and y6b in the middle of Figure 3 passing through the notches 20 in the uppermost pair of flaps 6a and 6b at the middle of Figure 3.

The blank 21 of Figure 6 also has longitudinal parallel score lines 4 and transverse parallel score lines 7 dividing off various portions, two wide portions 22 side by side being at one end. Between the ends are two other equally wide portions 22 which are connected to a pair of narrower portions 23, side by side between said other wide portions 22. At one end is a third narrower section Z3, one wide section 22 lying between this third section 23 and the pair of adjacent portions 23; which are connected to the remaining other wide portion by a similar narrow section 23. At the ends of all the transverse score lines 7 are cuts 14 with separated edges marking ott along the both edges of the blank the flaps 22a and 22h adjacent each section 22, and flaps 23a and 23h adjacent each section 23. The terminal section 23 has a hinged ap 8 with a line of indentations or perforations 12 at its junction with the last-named section 23.

To form a box with this blank the Hap or tab 8 is affixed by glue or otherwise to the narrow section 23 nearest to the pair of wide sections 22 at one end of the blank. The blank is then set up to present a closed outline as indicated in Figure 7, with the two adjacent wide portions 22 inside, folded against each, and disposed crosswise within. When filled with merchandise the aps 22a and 22h are all turned over, and the aps 23a and 23b turned over against the aps 22a and 22b and glued fast. The result is a rigid box or receptacle with two fully sealed halves or compartments. The halves can be served from each other by cutting along the lines 12 and 12 and each will then be a complete single package. Each compartment may have a partition similar to the member 3 therein if desired.

Having described my invention, what I believe to be new is:

A division member tor a receptacle, said member consisting of a flat central section, at sections hinge-connected one to each side of the central section and extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions, flat sections hinge-connected one to each of the last-named sections extending longitudinally of said member, other flat sections one hinge-connected to each longitudinally extending section and bent towards the plane of the central section, and additional at sections one hingeconnected to each of said other sections and bent towards the central section and lying substantially in the plane 5 of the central section, and flat sections one hingeconnected along one edge to each of said additional sections, adjacent the central section and extending laterally outward therefrom in opposite directions, the opposite edges of the last-named sections being free and means 10 for axing the last-named laterally extending sections to the central section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Coyle May 21, Ford Nov. 2, Kieckhefer Aug. 24, George Apr. 24, Hennessey June 2, Deline Apr. 13, 

